Northbrook teen Laura Bretan is used to being the showstopper for "America's Got Talent."

The 14-year-old opera singer closed out the NBC competition again on Tuesday's live episode in hopes of advancing to the Season 11 finals. The judges gave Bretan a standing ovation after she sang "Pie Jesu."

"If you're not in the finals, something has gone seriously, seriously wrong with that," said judge Simon Cowell, who called Bretan's performance her best of the competition, which has been airing since May.

Before Bretan began singing Tuesday, she gave a nod to her grandfather. She told the Tribune her grandfather died earlier this year before she won "Romania's Got Talent."

"I did 'Romania's Got Talent' for my grandfather because he wanted to see me personally on that show," Bretan told the Tribune. Now she's focused on winning the American version.

She's not the only local act vying for the $1 million prize. The judges gave mixed reviews of Musicality's cover of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."

Members of the group, which is based at Curie Metropolitan High School in the Archer Heights neighborhood, channeled their struggle against stereotypes in Tuesday's performance.

But the judges seemed to have higher expectations for their singing abilities.

"I have to say, for me tonight, that just felt like a well-rehearsed school performance," judge Melanie Brown said.

Judge Howie Mandel called the 17-member choir inspirational, while judge Heidi Klum said the group's singing made her want to "snuggle up in Simon (Cowell's) chest hair."

For his part, Cowell noted the group's improvement.

"You've come a long way from when we first saw you," Cowell said.

Musicality director Michael Gibson told the Tribune last month that "America's Got Talent" casting directors reached out to him to audition for the competition, and he's glad he did.

He said his "inbox has literally exploded" with potential gigs for the 8-year-old choir, which has been a place for some students to escape their troubles.

"(The group) has always kind of been a second family for the students," Gibson said.

Eleven acts competed on Tuesday's episode. The five acts that will advance to the finals are scheduled to be revealed 8 p.m. Wednesday. More semifinalists are slated to compete next week.

Fans can vote for the acts via the "America's Got Talent" app, NBC.com, the show's Facebook page, Google and by phone until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Aspiring entertainers can audition for the next season of "America's Got Talent" Nov. 12 at McCormick Place.